Atlanta Braves vs Detroit Tigers Betting Picks

Detroit's offense is seventh in the majors in on-base percentage and in slugging. Framber Valdez (3.41 ERA) has allowed two runs or less in five of his six starts. That includes shutting out the Cardinals, 4-0, in six innings of work to start April. The Tigers have won four of their six starts. Atlanta's Bryce Elder comes off a loss at home to Philadelphia, 8-5, as a -135 favorite. The Tigers are stinging from yesterday's walk-off loss and will look to right the ship today. Play Detroit. 

The Braves are off to a brisk 21-9 start. But with a few rare exceptions, they haven't faced an outstanding starting pitcher. That changes today as Atlanta is going against two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. He is 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA over the last two seasons. Skubal has a 2.72 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts in 36.1 innings this season. Detroit is 3-0 in Skubal's last three starts. Braves rookie right-hander JR Ritchie, in just his second big league appearance, goes up against Skubal. Detroit has the fifth-highest batting average against righties. The Tigers also have the fifth-highest slugging percentage versus right-handers, as three of their best offensive players are lefties - Riley Greene, Kevin McGonigle, and Kerry Carpenter. Take the Tigers.  

Atlanta has won seven in a row. They hope to keep it going behind starter Spencer Strider, who has 120 Ks in 114+ innings. He's allowed seven runs in his last four starts (25 innings). Detroit plays its six straight at home, but it hasn't helped, losing five straight and eight of nine. The stuttering offense has scored 23 runs in the last nine contests. Starter Casey Mize has a 3.59 ERA at home and is also a fine strikeout pitcher, with a 126-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 137 innings. Play Atlanta/Detroit UNDER the total. 

It's panic time in Detroit as the Tigers are in danger of blowing a 15-game lead they had over the Guardians in July. However, they're facing a pitcher that could end their hitting slump in Joey Wentz, who has allowed 21 runs in five starts in only 20 1/3 innings pitched. Wentz is on his third team this season, and he has a current ERA of 5.56 with a 1.52 WHIP. The Tigers counter with Keider Montero, who comes off five shutout innings on three hits against Miami. His best work has come in day games with a 3-1 mark and a 3.22 ERA. Detroit is 10-1-1 OVER its past 12 home games against teams with losing records, and it is 10-3 OVER versus the NL East. Detroit has gone OVER eight of 11 overall, and Atlanta has gone OVER five of six. Detroit is 81-65 OVER this season. Take the Tigers and the OVER.